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It took me years in academia to realise that many “average Universities” are often actually better than elite Unis.
Elite unis business model is, in many subjects, effectively a “CV branding” process for a specific minority of intelligent children of highly privileged top 5%.
Elite unis business model is, in many subjects, effectively a “CV branding” process for a specific minority of intelligent children of highly privileged top 5%.
2/
It’s why you see a far greater focus on humanities among this particular cohort at elite unis than elsewhere. It’s also why states which have this elite uni model - US & UK - rely on foreign students in sciences at elite unis than elsewhere.
It’s why you see a far greater focus on humanities among this particular cohort at elite unis than elsewhere. It’s also why states which have this elite uni model - US & UK - rely on foreign students in sciences at elite unis than elsewhere.
3/
I can’t be the only academic to notice that at the average uni where I am the privileged students all seem to be ahead of the rest of the class in the 1st year but regress to the mean by the end.
I can’t be the only academic to notice that at the average uni where I am the privileged students all seem to be ahead of the rest of the class in the 1st year but regress to the mean by the end.
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It’s like privileged schools are very good at getting average students into good unis...
..but average schools are pretty bad at getting potentially excellent students into elite unis.
It’s like privileged schools are very good at getting average students into good unis...
..but average schools are pretty bad at getting potentially excellent students into elite unis.
6/
This is not to say elite unis aren’t great or better than most.
But rather that average unis are adding a greater “added value” to students than elite unis.
This isn’t a criticism so much of elite unis but on how they take admissions.
This is not to say elite unis aren’t great or better than most.
But rather that average unis are adding a greater “added value” to students than elite unis.
This isn’t a criticism so much of elite unis but on how they take admissions.
7/
Which has led me to the conclusion that Oxbridge isn’t the problem - it’s the solution.
Increase the ratio of science/STEM subjects at Oxbridge & triple the intake of total students via competitions among state schools.
Which has led me to the conclusion that Oxbridge isn’t the problem - it’s the solution.
Increase the ratio of science/STEM subjects at Oxbridge & triple the intake of total students via competitions among state schools.
8/
I have no real problem with an intellectual elite. The problem is that the UK doesn’t have one. It has a social group that send their intelligent children to do humanity degrees as a CV branding exercise while average unis struggle to get funding for gifted students.
I have no real problem with an intellectual elite. The problem is that the UK doesn’t have one. It has a social group that send their intelligent children to do humanity degrees as a CV branding exercise while average unis struggle to get funding for gifted students.
